Related Arts 2018-19

Academic Enrichment 6, 7, 8 [1 block]Prerequisite: NonePurpose: This course is designed to provide study skills, test-taking skills, and academic assistance for core academic areas. Students will have the opportunity to complete assignments and prepare for upcoming assessments.

Art 6 [1 block]Prerequisite: nonePurpose: The 6th Grade Art Curriculum is designed to introduce students to the Element of Art, a variety of techniques and media, with an introduction to art history and critique. Individual creativity, neatness and respect for the work of others is encouraged.

Art 7 [1 block]Prerequisite: none Purpose: Art 7 is a visual arts course to develop an appreciation of the visual arts, as well as an understanding of how the art elements and principles relate to the student’s everyday lives. Art 7 is both a studio and craft class with an opportunity to explore various media. Students are introduced to the Modern Art Movement (Impressionism) and introduced to various artists/history of the movement.

Art 7 Honors [1 block]Prerequisite: Approved applicationPurpose: Art 7 Honors is a visual arts course with emphasis on the studio arts. Students will expand on skills and the use of various media in preparation for continuing to the high school study of visual arts. This class is for students with an above average aptitude for the visual arts. To participate in Art 7 Honors students are required to complete an art application that includes 3 quick art studies and receive 2 recommendations from faculty members. Upon evaluation of the application, the student may be invited to join the class. Art 6 is not required as a prerequisite. Class size is limited.

Art 8 [1 block]Prerequisite: nonePurpose: Art 8 is a visual arts course where the student will use artists and art history as inspiration for art projects. Students are encouraged to make more personal choices in their artistic creations. Technical skills will be honed to create more polished, finished works of art.

Art 8 Honors [2 blocks same day]Prerequisite: Art 7 Honors or approved applicationPurpose: Art 8 Honors is a visual arts class with emphasis on the studio arts. This class is for the art student with an above average aptitude for the visual arts. This class is for student with plans to continue their art education. An emphasis is placed on the art of critique (both oral and written), critical thinking skills, decision making, and problem solving. Students will experience more choices in both subject matter and composition. For participation in the class the student must have had Art 7 Honors or complete the art application required for Art 7 Honors and be invited to join the class. Class size is limited.

Concert Band 6 [2 blocks same day]Prerequisite: none Purpose: 6th Grade Band is open to all 6th grade students who desire to learn a band instrument. The following instruments are available for a 6th grade student: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, and percussion. Students will focus on the following concepts: rhythmic comprehension, tone production, music reading and notation, solo and ensemble performance, listening and transcription, basic music theory, music history and cultural relevance, and introduction to expressive techniques. Instrument selection will take place in the first 3 weeks of school. After instruments have been selected, parents will be invited to a band information meeting where instrument rentals will be available. If renting/purchasing an instrument is a concern, we will work with you to discover affordable options. Course grading will include student’s daily participation, effort in class, practice records (individual recordings), playing & written quizzes, and performance in various seasonal concerts and state/local festivals.

Concert Band 7 [1 block every day--2 blocks total]Prerequisite: nonePurpose: This course is designed for students that have mastered the basic skills taught in 6th Grade Beginning Band; however, students with minimal or no experience in playing a band instrument may enroll as well. 7th Grade beginners are required to take after school lessons each week with school instructor or a preferred instructor (lessons with school instructor are after school and free of charge). The standard band instrumentation is expanded further, with the addition of the following instruments: oboe, bass clarinet, tenor sax, baritone sax and tuba. 7th Grade Band continues to reinforce the student musician’s earlier band experience while introducing them to a wide scope of new techniques, skills and overall musical knowledge. This includes, but is not limited to: increasing the note range on their instrument, new key signatures and time signatures, new theory and terminology, expanded rhythmic and melodic concepts, etc. Emphasis is placed on ensemble techniques including intonation, balance and blend. Course grading will include student’s daily participation, effort in class, practice records (individual recordings), playing & written quizzes, and performance in various seasonal concerts and state/local festivals. In addition, students will be given the opportunity to compete individually in state competitions such as All-County Band, Region Band, All-State Band, and Solo and Ensemble Festival. 7th Grade Band students are eligible to participate in the marching band per recommendation from school instructor.

Concert Band 8 [1 block every day--2 blocks total]Prerequisite: nonePurpose: This is the most advanced band class offered at the middle school level. Prior knowledge of playing an instrument is not required, but students joining 8th Grade must take after-school lessons each week with school instructor or a preferred instructor (lessons with school instructor are after school and free of charge). Students in 8th grade band will build on the concepts they learned in 7th Grade Band as well as perform a vast repertoire of music in a variety of concerts including Veterans Day, the fall and spring band concerts, state and/or local music festivals, elementary school visits, and various local venues as the opportunity is presented. In addition, students will be given the opportunity to compete individually in state competitions such as All-County Band, Region Band, All-State Band, and Solo and Ensemble Festival. Course grading will include student’s daily participation, effort in class, practice records (individual recordings), playing & written quizzes, and performance in various seasonal concerts and state/ local festivals. 8th Grade students are eligible to participate in the High School Marching band. Band instruments include: flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto/tenor/baritone saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion.

Digital Learning 6, 7, 8 [1 block]Prerequisite: none Purpose: Digital Learning provides opportunities for students to collaborate as they solve challenging problems. This problem solving strategy is guided by open-ended questions which drive student-led investigative processes. Students research the problem, collect data, and draw conclusions based on their findings. Digital Learning supports the use of multiple learning styles as students integrate writing and technology to demonstrate understanding.

Industrial Technology 6 and Gateway to Technology 7, 8 [1 block]Prerequisite: nonePurpose: Gateway to Technology (7, 8) is the middle school program offered by Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a high school engineering program. Gateway to Technology is not a prerequisite for PLTW, but does provide a basic engineering foundation. Industrial Technology (6) focuses on answering the question: what is engineering? Students will be completing a series of nine projects ranging from Engineering Career Brochures to designing their very own Rube Goldberg device. Each project is full of hands on activities that promote teamwork and critical thinking skills utilized by today’s engineers.

Math Counts 6, 7, 8 [1 block]Prerequisite: 85 or higher in previous year’s math coursePurpose: This course will focus on problem solving strategies through fun and challenging math problems appropriate for middle school grades. A goal of this class is to increase enthusiasm and confidence using a variety of activities and in-depth explorations of math concepts. Students will be exposed to non-routine problems, interesting puzzles associated with logic and math, and materials appropriate for competition math. Also, this course will provide an opportunity for students who are mathematically talented to broaden their experiences beyond the traditional mathematics curriculum. In addition, students will have a chance to compete in class math competitions and possibly regional academic competitions.

Music (Jazz Band) 7 [1 block]Co-requisite: Concert Band 7Purpose: Jazz Band is open to any 7th Grade Band student. Students must be enrolled in Concert Band in order to be members of the Jazz Band. This ensemble will train students in the following concepts in conjunction with their concert band training: jazz origin and history, jazz styles including blues, Latin, swing, rock, and funk, solo music improvisation, intermediate music theory and commercial chord symbols, studio production and recording, and solo and ensemble performance. Course grading will include student’s daily participation, effort in class, practice records (Individual recordings), playing & written quizzes, and performance in various seasonal concerts, studio recording and state/local festivals.

Music (Ukulele Ensemble) 7, 8 [1 block]Prerequisite: nonePurpose: Ukulele Ensemble is open to all 7th and 8th Grade students. In this class we will use ukulele as a medium to learn posture/position, rhythm, pitch, tuning, note reading, and ensemble performance. Each student will be provided a ukulele to practice for this class. Course grading will include student’s daily participation, effort in class, practice records (individual recordings), playing & written quizzes, and performance in two seasonal concerts.

Orchestra 6, 7, 8 [2 blocks same day]Prerequisite: none (6); instructor approval (7, 8)Purpose: The orchestra class is open to students who desire to learn to play one of four different stringed instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass. It is a yearlong class that meets 90 minutes during the designated related arts time for each grade level. In order to join 7th or 8th grade orchestra, prior experience and instructor approval is required. In all classes the student will receive guidance in techniques for producing proper tone, pitch, rhythm, posture, dynamics, and performance at different levels. Orchestra is also a class designed to help build self-esteem (achievement), cooperation (playing in an ensemble), and life skills (practice, study, commitment) through the discipline of learning to play an instrument. 6th grade orchestra has two performances a year, one at Christmas and one in the spring. The 7th and 8th grade orchestras have three performances a year, one at Christmas, Concert Performance Assessment in March (field trip), and a spring concert. These are all mandatory and part of the students’ grades for the year.

Physical Education/Health* 6, 7, 8 [1 block]Prerequisite: none*Students will be scheduled for this course by default unless certain scheduling conflicts apply.Purpose: The Physical Education program provides each student with the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive program consisting of skill development, lead-up games, team sports, individual sports, and physical fitness activities. The students receive instruction in rules, skills, and strategies associated with the different sports as well as learning experiences involving physical conditioning activities and lifelong physical activities. The program promotes the spirit of cooperation, leadership, fair play, and friendly competition. The Health Program is designed to familiarize students with issues they will encounter during their middle school years. It is designed to provide knowledge and experiences which will enable them to make choices that will have a positive impact on their health. Units covered include: stress management, managing mental and emotional health, your body systems, physical fitness, sports conditioning, eating responsibly, and more. Comprehensive Health will also be covered in health class. A parent letter will be sent out closer to this time.

Chorus 6, 7, 8 [1 block]Prerequisite: nonePurpose: Chorus offers the opportunity to participate in a vocal music program dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in music through performance. Students participate in daily rehearsals and perform in concerts during the school year. This class is taught in conjunction with Theatre (Chorus) (drama).

Theatre (Drama) 7, 8 [1 block]Prerequisite: nonePurpose: Theatre is an all-encompassing introduction to theatre arts. Students will take their first steps towards understanding the basics of theatre. They will cover the core components of the theatre machine: acting, directing, playwriting, and technical theatre. By understanding the inner workings of these concepts and practices, they will also expand their knowledge of theatre history. Young artists will also be introduced to publicity, the nuance of play production, and a deep well of improvisational exercises and games. This course will provide the strong foundation to continue a pursuit of the arts, while enhancing other non-arts skills such as public speaking, and the ability to collaborate with others. This class is taught in conjunction with Theatre (Drama).

Released Time 6, 7, 8 [2 blocks same day]Prerequisite: Signed consent formPurpose: Released Time Bible Education class, provided by Christian Learning Centers of the Upstate, Inc. is an off-campus class taught at Siloam Baptist Church (beside Concrete Primary School). It is a non-credit course and is designed for students who wish to augment their education with religious and moral instruction. Parent/guardian permission and signed consent form is required.

Spanish Introduction 6, 7 [1 block]Prerequisite: NonePurpose: This course offers an introduction for students in learning about Hispanic culture and building their knowledge of the Spanish language through vocabulary and common phrases. This course will help build the knowledge needed to succeed in Spanish I. To be successful in Spanish class, students will need to have earbuds, preferable with a built-in microphone and a 100-page composition notebook or spiral notebook.

Spanish I 8 [2 blocks same day]Co-requisite: English 1 HPurpose: This course will be offered during both blocks of related arts time every other day for the whole school year. This course will cover the high school Spanish I curriculum so that students who pass the course with a B or higher will be allowed to take Spanish II as freshman. To be successful in Spanish class, students will need to have earbuds, preferable with a built-in microphone and a 100-page composition notebook or spiral notebook.

Powdersville Middle

Powdersville Middle School is committed to continuing the ASD1 tradition of excellence by providing world class knowledge, skills, and life characteristics based on the individual needs of each student.